BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Seth Unger, deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at Treasury

How/where are you celebrating your birthday and with whom? “My big 4-0 birthday on 4/20 is book-ended by my 11-year old Gavin’s birthday on 4/19 and my 2-year-old Leyton’s birthday on 4/25. We have a crew of friends and family coming in from Ohio for the weekend to help us celebrate, and are kicking it off with a Super Smash Bros themed General Tso’s chicken and Nintendo party. I plan to smoke a cigar.”

How did you get your start in your career? “My first actual job was at 14 as a caddy (a path that my oldest sons Seth Jr., Coleman and soon Trent are following). But my political career started with a State Rep. race in Northeast Ohio at 17 years old. I phone banked, canvassed neighborhoods, planted yard signs, and we knocked off the incumbent in the primary before winning the General Election. I caught the political bug, and between campaigns and government-related jobs in California, Ohio and D.C., haven’t really stopped since.”

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What's an interesting book/article you’re reading now or finished? And why? “The last book I really enjoyed was probably ‘Killing Patton’ by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. One of my grandfathers served in the Army Corps of Engineers in WWII following behind his army re-building bridges. I’ve always found Patton fascinating and it was a great read. We also read Ernest Cline’s ‘Ready Player One’ on audio book during a recent road trip, and it was a fun take for kids in the Fortnite era.”

What is a trend going on in the U.S. or abroad that doesn't get enough attention? “The U.S. birth rate is at a 30-year low, and D.C.’s is the lowest in the country. In general, Americans are having kid(s) later, and are not currently keeping up with replacement rates. This trend impacts everything from workforce, to schools, to Social Security and other programs, but it doesn’t seem to get much attention. We have five boys (and a girl on the way), so are pretty attuned to the fact that we are an anomaly to this broader trend.”

How is the Trump presidency going? “I always appreciate the perspective I get when I talk to friends and family outside of the beltway bubble, in places like Ohio and Pennsylvania. The President has made great strides at growing the economy, cutting taxes, leveling the playing field for American workers, and implementing foreign policy strategies that make us more secure. These types of things positively impact Americans who aren’t following the day-to-day drama in D.C.”

What's a fun fact that people in Washington might not know about you? “I think I’m one of the only political appointees, and I believe the only spokesperson, for both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (press secretary for the California prison system) and President Trump (Dep. asst. sec. for public affairs at Treasury). We’ve also got a family band in our basement, with some musically talented kids.”